The attack on the U.S. consulate in Libya and the
killing of the U.S. ambassador and several aides is another tragic example
of how our interventionist foreign policy undermines our national
security. The more the U.S. tries to control the rest of the world, whether
by democracy promotion, aid to foreign governments, or bombs, the
more events spin out of control into chaos, unintended consequences, and
blowback.

Unfortunately, what we saw in Libya last week is nothing new.

In 1980s Afghanistan, the U.S. supported Islamic
radicals in their efforts to expel the invading Soviet military. These
radicals became what came to be known as al-Qaeda, and our one-times allies
turned on us most spectacularly on Sept. 11, 2001.

Iraq did not have a significant al-Qaeda presence
before the 2003 U.S. invasion, but our occupation of that country and
attempt to remake it in our image caused a massive reaction that opened
the door to al-Qaeda, leading to thousands of U.S. soldiers dead, a
country destroyed, and instability that shows no sign of diminishing.

In Libya we worked with, among others, the rebel Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG), which
included foreign elements of al-Qaeda. It has been pointed out that the
al-Qaeda-affiliated radicals we fought in Iraq were some of the same
groups we worked with to overthrow Gadhafi in Libya. Last year, in a
television interview, I predicted that the result of NATO’s bombing of
Libya would likely be an increased al-Qaeda presence in the country. I
said at the time that we may be delivering al-Qaeda another prize.

Not long after NATO overthrew Gadhafi, the al-Qaeda
flag was flown over the courthouse in Benghazi. Should we be surprised,
then, that less than a year later there would be an attack on our
consulate in Benghazi? We have been told for at least the past 11
years that these people are the enemy who seeks to do us harm.

There is danger in the belief we can remake the
world by bribing some countries and bombing others. But that is
precisely what the interventionists — be they liberal or conservative —
seem to believe. When the world does not conform to their image, they
seem genuinely shocked. The secretary of state’s reaction to the attack
on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi was one of confusion. “How could this
happen in a country we helped liberate, in a city we helped save from
destruction?” she asked.

The problem is that we do not know and we cannot
know enough about these societies we are seeking to remake. We never try
to see through the eyes of those we seek to liberate. Libya is in utter
chaos, the infrastructure has been bombed to rubble, the economy has
ceased to exist, gangs and militias rule by brutal force, and the government
is seen as a completely illegitimate and powerless U.S. puppet. How
could anyone be shocked that the Libyans do not see our bombing their
country as saving it from destruction?

Currently, the U.S. is actively supporting rebels in
Syria that even our CIA tells us are affiliated with al-Qaeda. Many of
these radical Islamist fighters in Syria were not long ago fighting in
Libya. We must learn from these mistakes and immediately cease all
support for the Syrian rebels, lest history once again repeat itself.
We are literally backing the same people in Syria that we are fighting
in Afghanistan and that have just killed our ambassador in Libya! We
must finally abandon the interventionist impulse before it is too late.

I guess Ron Paul just answered the question I posed to Jason Ditz , as to why Romney is not calling Obama on the obvious lie that the attack on the Libyan embassy was in response to an anti Muslim movie trailer. Romney is as bad if not worse than Obama concerning U.S. Mideast policy.

JoaoAlfaiate

And if you believe that, as I do, don't vote for either one. Don't be responsible for putting one of these clowns in power.

mikw

write-in Ron Paul – a way of sending a message to the warmongers of both parties

jrs

I doubt writes-ins will even be counted, whereas 3rd parties votes should be (unless the voting machines are hacked of course)

Bianca

This is why RON PAUL will be my write-in choice. Our hopeless "mainstream" media is unfortunately still keeping most people in the two party illusion. What Ron Paul is warning against is the essence of all our problems. The interventionist virus is the cause of our economic problems, financial system disasters, as well as our trade problems. This urge to control the globe, to think in the terms of 19th century geopolitics — is comical. In this world all we need is some good old fashioned american common sense.

Tom Mauel

I guess Ron Paul just answered the question I posed to Jason Ditz , as to why Romney is not calling Obama on the obvious lie that the attack on the Libyan embassy was in response to an anti Muslim movie trailer. Romney is as bad if not worse than Obama concerning U.S. Mideast policy.

Why doesn't the rest of the world tell the U.S. to 'shut the fuck up' and go back to where they come from!

Everything they touch ends up much worse than when they found it! Yet they keep doing it!

Are they slow learners or what?

Bianca

Depends on who "we" is. We, the people, are always slow learners. We trust that people we elect, and people administration hires, do what is best. .

But "we" the people running the show may think in different terms. For them, "success" is measured by how much real estate around the globe they control. And "control" is not what most people envision by that word. To the globe-trotters, control can be rule by chaos, rule by a proxy, rule by criminal gangs, rule by terrorists, or rule by polished "democrats". So, if the objective is to STAY FOREVER or longer, the goal is met. "Pulling troups" is never really true. Just like they are staying in Germany, Korea, Japan — even though those wars ended over 65 years ago. Yet, what is this achieving? This creates "jobs" — they say. The sound of "jobs" has started so feel like charity. Our globe trotting elite thinks they are the masters of the universe, and if we, the people, have to print money to make their global delusions work — so it will be.

chiniquy

Money talks.

Walter Cole

Of course State is shocked and indignant over those Consul attacks – after all we did to help al Qaeda take over Libya. Then they turn on us this way – it isn´t fair and Clinton knows it. And all of this fuss just because we insulted everything the Muslim world believes in, while practicing and demonstrating freedom of speech to the world.

I´m totally certain that America will create and distribute an equally filthy and insulting film about Jews and maybe another about Christians, just show the world that we really do believe in freedom of speech.

chiniquy

It has already been done, and not even a wimper from Christians and Jews.

Well, Rep. Paul keeps hitting the nail on the head, at least in matters of foreign policy, even if he is from Texas.

Dahoit

Everything he said is gospel except who (turned?) attacked US on 9-11.The AlCIAda connection has never been proved,except by the Zionist MSM proclamations.

chiniquy

Not CIA, but Mossad connection. The Jonathan Pollard types within the US intelligence community and also within the FBI, ensured that the attack on Sep, 11, 2001 succeeded. The majority of the members of the CIA are patriotic Americans they would never knowingly allow an attack on Americans.

MoT

This coming from the man who was "booed" by the warmongering crowd within his own party. Seems that prophets are hated for telling people what they don't want to hear.

"The more the U.S. tries to control the rest of the world, whether by democracy promotion, aid to foreign governments, or bombs, the more events spin out of control into chaos, unintended consequences, and blowback."

Democracy promotion…LOL! I dare you to name one — only one — nation the US has invaded, occupied and bombed back to the Stone Age where they have truly, honestly promoted democracy.

tom dee

What is going on is the USA joined with the likud and fully supported the white paper written be richard Perl called operation clean beak. That paper called for regime change in all nations in the middle east other than Israel. The sharp pencils actually believed that knocking down the government that a democracy would appear. Gaza was an example which showed that if the people did not vote for the Israeli puppet they would experience harsh attacks. Even Israel is not a democracy because they drove the majority out. Stupid people who will get us into WWIII.

tom dee

What is going on is the USA joined with the likud and fully supported the white paper written be richard Perl called operation clean beak. That paper called for regime change in all nations in the middle east other than Israel. The sharp pencils actually believed that knocking down the government that a democracy would appear. Gaza was an example which showed that if the people did not vote for the Israeli puppet they would experience harsh attacks. Even Israel is not a democracy because they drove the majority out. Stupid people who will get us into WWIII.

Outsider

Dr Paul:

I truly admire you, as do millions of other Americans. However, although I'm sure you have good reasons, I remain frustrated over your decision not to publically support Gary Johnson. The best outcome would have been for you to drop out of the Repub race in time to secure the Libertarian nomination. Under that scenario, I believe that you would have had to be allowed into the (sham?) debates, even though both monopoly parties would have tried everything (legal or not) within their powers to keep you out. Johnson, unfortunately, has no chance of geting in. So, we are stuck with two pro-war, inteventionist parties who continually say your beliefs are isolationist and will not work. Are Iran, and possibly WW3, up next? God (if there is one) help us!

Yonatan

A systems analysts would say: the purpose of a system is what it does. The purpose and intent of the US intervention is to create instability in the Middle East and Africa. All public pronouncements are fluff, padding, distraction for the general public.

Hexexis

What's really scary about all these interventionist types is that they're steadfastly rewarded for their failures (Wolfowitz: help turn a 6-wk incursion in Iraq into an 8-yr stalemate? Then you can be head of the IMF!).

THIS needs to stop! The interventionists have no allegiance to a party or the country. Ron Paul, tell us you won't keep Kissinger's or Bremer's (or the whole Def. Policy Bd. crowd's) phone number @your bedside & I'll write you in.

jrs

Most important part:

"We must learn from these mistakes and immediately cease all support for the Syrian rebels, lest history once again repeat itself. We are literally backing the same people in Syria that we are fighting in Afghanistan and that have just killed our ambassador in Libya! We must finally abandon the interventionist impulse before it is too late."

End it now. And Republican primary voters really choose Romney over this guy? Unbelievable.